Japanese Encephalitis

CWRU UH & CS DOES NOT CARRY THIS VACCINE - this is provided for information only!

Japanese encephalitis is a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted by mosquitos, that occurs mainly in China, Korea, India, parts of Bangladesh, southern Nepal and Sri Lanka, and the southeast Asian countries of Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Most infections occur in rural, agricultural areas around flooded rice fields and pools of water. Transmission is usually following the season where mosquitoes are in abundance. Mosquitoes carrying Japanese encephalitis are most active during the hours between dusk and dawn.

The chance that a traveler will be infected with Japanese encephalitis is very small, however, the illness can progress to a serious infection in the brain and lead to death.

Symptoms

Mild infections occur without apparent symptoms other than fever with headache. More sever infection is marked by a quick onset, headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions (especially in infants) and paralysis.

JE-Vax

JE-Vax is the vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis. Three doses of the vaccine are recommended. The last dose should be given 10 days prior to travel to ensure adequate immune response.